Alex Ovechkin: Dirty or Reckless?

The NHL has put Capitals Superstar Alex Ovechkin on ice for two games for the second time this season, this time as punishment for his hit on Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell in the first period of Sunday's 4-3 overtime win.  This is not the first time "The Great 8" has been involved in a controversial hit, earlier this year he got two games for a knee to knee on Carolina Hurricanes Tim Gleason.  Ovechkin also injured fellow countryman Sergei Gonchar of the Penguins during last year's playoffs with a knee to knee hit.  Plus he was involved in a couple others this year;

-- Oct. 22 -- Fined a collective bargaining agreement-maximum $2,500 for "slew-footing" Atlanta's Rich Peverley.

-- Nov. 25 -- Received a five-minute major and game misconduct for boarding Buffalo agitator Patrick Kaleta. No supplementary discipline was issued.

For the record I like love the way Alex Ovechkin plays with an edge and energy other players wish they could match.  Ovechkin's teammates and fans are defending him of course, but if that play Sunday had been Mike Green of the Caps instead of Campbell would everyone's feelings be different?  On the record no one in the NHL is calling Ovechkin dirty even if they believe it.  That would be suicide for a league that needs Ovechkin and yes Sidney Crosby to help rebuild the overall fan base.  So with that in mind the NHL must feel Ovechkin is doing something wrong to suspend him twice in a season. 

None of his opponents have used the "dirty" word yet instead going with "reckless." Even Mike Knuble his teammate and former Flyer used "reckless."  Let's remember this is hockey where guys are armed on skates so "reckless" play is part of it.  Remember Bobby Clarke?  The former Flyer great is a hero in the City of Brotherly Love he brought home a Cup, but in DC we hated that SOB! Being "reckless" is not a bad thing if Ovechkin does not hurt himself in the process or seriously injure others, which appears to have happened to Campbell.  He reportedly could miss the remainder of the regular season with a broken collarbone, a fractured rib and a concussion.  Bruce Boudreau pointed out Ovechkin plays at such a speed and force that is unmatched, which may make judgment calls very difficult for the officials.  Sometimes others just get in the way?  At least that's the spin coming from DC. 

Being "reckless" is not all bad, remember in the movie "Top Gun", Maverick was a brilliant pilot, but he too was "reckless" and sometimes "dangerous" as Ice Man pointed out (Great Movie, Kelly McGillis was pretty hot and still liked men at this point in her career and Tom Cruise was not a lunatic yet).  The Great 8 is not going to change, so let's just hope he doesn't hurt himself or any of his wingman in the process as Maverick did to poor Goose. Plus Maverick did not win the Top Gun award, that cocky jerk Ice Man did, but Ovechkin is the NHL's Top Gun in lots of ways.  Hopefully being grounded will not take away from his brilliant flying  play and as long as he is on my favorite team I really don't care what anyone else thinks.